Rip - Kyocera , Leica, Pentax

Hi from the UK, this week we saw the end of our main yearly show which held a few surprises.

Kyocera;

As of Wednesday Japan has closed the camera side of Kyocera, doors locked at UK and Europe offices, Japan will no longer support the money losing camera division - Contax will at the momnet still be kept going.

Leica;

The banks which have kept Leica going for the last 3 years in Germany have told Leica that they will no longer support them, Leica are already well into the red in europe, rumours abound that the tie in with Panasonic will end in a buy out but don't expect much product to be carried on

Pentax;

A lot of roumours are starting to abound that Pentax are also in a cash flow problem and are looking at the camera side to see if it's worth keeping going.

and the plus;Looks like Konica bought Minolta to keep them going otherwise they would on the list above, HP which is throwing a lot of money from it's printer division to the camera division might be on the look out to buy a troubled camera maker for the name and reputation to brand their products.all the information came from lots of very well placed people in the trade.RegardsFez (in the snow)

well confirmed about Leica and the banks this week, Pentax have started the clear out of staff including the head guy in the UK, also another rumour, Olympus in order to get the number one slot have sold a lot of gear at no margin to get this position and are now having cash flow problems, will not cause too much problems long term and they will recover but just ask them why they would not pay for the airfare and hotels for the staff from Japan at PMA

It's sort of true then an old classic Leica will be worth a small fortune.When I was working at Olden Camera in NYC alot of Japanease would come in and buy up the old classic Leicas.Back then we even had a gold plated one that was reportedly forged but a real beauty.I don't think these modern digital cameras will ever match the grace of our classic 35mm bodies and lens.

Leica cameras have a shutter action which is far less mechanical than other cameras. That's why the older generation snappers preferred it. But, when the digital revolution happened, they ignored it. Not clever. When you are in trouble in any market, diversify out if it. Or create your own niche which is profitable. Trying to carry on regardless is suicide.